The Chicago Cubs are facing a sobering blow to their pitching depth. Manager Craig Counsell confirmed Tuesday that right-hander Cade Horton will undergo surgery on his right elbow, confirming that Cade Horton’s season is over.
The announcement came before the Cubs’ matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, following an MRI that revealed a ligament injury. The news transforms a season of high expectations for the young star into a grueling road of rehabilitation, leaving the North Siders to scramble for stability in their starting rotation.
The injury was first feared last Friday in Cleveland, where Horton was forced to leave the mound after throwing just 17 pitches. While the team remained hopeful for a less severe diagnosis, the MRI results left the organization with little choice but to opt for surgical intervention.
Horton traveled to Texas on Tuesday to consult with Dr. Keith Meister, a renowned specialist in upper-extremity sports medicine. While the specific nature of the procedure will not be finalized until surgeons operate on the elbow, the team indicated that Tommy John surgery is a strong possibility. A date for the operation has not yet been set.
The Mental and Physical Toll of a Repeat Injury
For the 24-year-traditional athlete, this is more than just a seasonal setback; it is a recurring nightmare. This will mark the second major surgery on his right elbow. Horton previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 while playing at the university level, a hurdle he seemingly cleared to become one of the most prized arms in the game.
Having a second ligament failure is a complex challenge for any pitcher, both physically and psychologically. The recovery timeline for a revision surgery can often be more arduous than the initial procedure, requiring a meticulous balance of strength building and cautious ramp-ups to avoid further degradation of the joint.
The timing is particularly cruel given Horton’s current trajectory. Just one week before the injury in Cleveland, he had delivered a commanding performance against the Washington Nationals, limiting them to two runs over six and a third innings. It was a glimpse of the dominance that has defined his short but brilliant professional career.
A Rising Star’s Interrupted Momentum
Selected seventh overall in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, Horton quickly transitioned from a top prospect to a cornerstone of the Cubs’ future. His debut season in the majors was nothing short of a revelation, as he posted an 11-4 record with a 2.67 ERA across 118 innings.
That performance earned him a second-place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, signaling the arrival of a front-line starter capable of anchoring a rotation for a decade. To see that momentum halted by the same fragility that plagued his college years is a difficult pill for the Chicago Cubs organization to swallow.
The loss of Horton is not an isolated incident, but rather the latest in a series of setbacks for the Cubs’ pitching staff. The team is already navigating the absence of star pitcher Justin Steele, who underwent surgery to treat an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury in April 2025. While Steele is expected to return toward the end of May, the gap in the rotation has become a canyon.
Navigating a Rotation Crisis
With Matthew Boyd as well occupying a spot on the injured list, the Cubs are forced to lean heavily on their remaining arms. The burden now falls largely on Colin Rea and Javier Assad to maintain the team’s competitive edge.
Colin Rea is no stranger to this kind of workload. Last season, Rea stepped into a similar void following Steele’s injury, managing a 3.95 ERA across 27 starts. The Cubs will look for that same resilience as they navigate the remainder of the schedule.
| Pitcher | Status | Notes/Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Steele | Injured | Expected return late May |
| Cade Horton | Out for Season | Right elbow surgery pending |
| Matthew Boyd | Injured List | Currently sidelined |
| Colin Rea | Active | Expected increase in innings |
| Javier Assad | Active | Core rotation stabilizer |
Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but emphasized a collective effort to cover the lost innings. “We’re going to ask Colin (to start more games), and someone will have to take over Colin’s innings,” Counsell said.
Counsell cautioned against placing the entire weight of the rotation on one man. “On paper, this is how we are going to tackle the situation. But not everything will rest on Colin’s shoulders. We will all have to do our part,” he added.
What Comes Next for the Cubs
The immediate focus for the Cubs will be managing the workload of their current starters to avoid further injuries. The front office may also explore the trade market or promote from within the farm system to provide much-needed relief for Rea and Assad.
For Horton, the focus shifts from the mound to the training table. The road back from a second major elbow surgery is long, often requiring a full year of rehabilitation before a pitcher can return to competitive game action. The Cubs’ medical staff and Dr. Meister will be monitoring his progress closely to ensure the graft holds and the arm regains its previous velocity.
The reality that Cade Horton’s season is over serves as a stark reminder of the volatility of professional pitching. For now, the Cubs must find a way to survive the gap until Steele returns and hope that their young star’s resilience matches the talent that made him a top-ten pick.
Disclaimer: This article provides information regarding sports injuries for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The Cubs will provide further updates on the specific nature of Horton’s surgery once the procedure is completed and the surgeons have a full assessment of the ligament damage. We will continue to track his recovery and the team’s rotation adjustments as the season progresses.
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